When a watchdog sleeps

The state Public Utilities Commission is losing credibility big time. An employee survey showed that safety was downplayed and the regulatory agency was too chummy with the utilities it oversees. Remember, this is the state outfit that oversaw the PG&E gas line that exploded in San Bruno, killing eight people.

No surprise, then, that a panel of state legislators all but demanded an executive suite house-cleaning after reading the report.

It’s up to Gov. Brown, who appoints the five member commission overseeing the agency, to take charge. We hope he will.